Kill Chain Engineer - El Segundo Field Office

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory seeks a Kill Chain Engineer to apply systems thinking to space-based defense problems. You will work on end-to-end kill chains, define traceability from needs to systems, and employ advanced simulation tools to meet warfighter requirements.

Strong collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams is essential. The role emphasizes delivering concepts from requirements through field-ready systems, with opportunities to lead modeling efforts and coordinate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in systems engineering of kill chains, weapons systems, or C2 systems.
• Ability to derive top level requirements and decompose to lower levels.
• Strong analytical, verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
• Experience MBSE on programs and communicating results to team and sponsors.
• Big-picture thinker with tracing data flows across a multi-organizational architecture.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% and eligibility for US citizenship with TS/SCI potential.

Responsibilities

• Conceive novel kill chains using space-based systems to meet needs of warfighters and intelligence.
• Define and maintain traceability between enterprise needs and developed systems.
• Use systems engineering and simulation tools to understand requirements and performance.
• Author system functional and performance requirements.
• Design and refine interface messages between federated systems.
• Work through all project lifecycle phases to ensure fielded systems meet needs.

Skills

MBSE techniques

Systems thinking

Kill chain understanding

System requirements

Analytical communication

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, CS, physics, math, stats, or related discipline

Master's degree or higher in engineering or related field

Tools

Cameo

Rhapsody

SPARX EA

AFSIM

NGTS

Job description

Description

Are you motivated to apply your systems engineering skills to inform the future of our nation' s multi-domain defense architecture?

Do you enjoy finding innovative solutions to complex problems?

Are you an "end- to-end systems thinker" with kill chain execution, analysis, design, and/or test/evaluation experience who is ready to address the challenges facing National Security?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a logical and detailed technical thinker to demonstrate their systems and systems-of-systems perspective to support multi-disciplinary government acquisition teams. The domain involves engineering of assets to efficiently and effectively employ effects against enemy threats. This role focuses on kill chains that take place, wholly or partially, within the space domain. This role requires communication and coordination between systems to track, identify, and defeat these threats. You will be joining our accomplished team of hardworking engineers, software developers, data scientists, and analysts committed to advancing the state of the art in space-based defense capabilities. We believe in building talented teams, continually growing our capabilities, and cultivating a work environment that embraces innovation, integrity, trust, and collaboration.

As a Kill Chain Engineer you will…

• Work with a team to conceive novel and effective kill chains utilizing space-based systems to meet the needs of the warfighter and intelligence communities
• Define and maintain the traceability between enterprise-level needs and the systems being developed to meet them
• Use innovative systems engineering and simulation tools to understand system requirements and performance
• Author system functional and performance requirements
• Design and refine interface messages between federated systems
• Work through all phases of the project lifecycle to ensure fielded systems meet the needs of the warfighter
• Be responsible for software implementation of proof-of-concept prototypes incorporating several engineering fields

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

• Have a Bachelor' s degree in systems engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, statistics, or other engineering or related discipline
• Have 10+ years of professional experience in the systems engineering of kill chains, weapons systems, or C2 systems
• Have demonstrated experience deriving top level requirements for a system and decomposing them down to the lower levels
• Possess strong analytical, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Have participated on teams implementing MBSE techniques and practices on programs and effectively communicate technical results to the team, leadership, and government sponsors
• Are a big-picture thinker, capable of tracing data flows and operations paths through a complicated, multi- organizational architecture
• Are able to travel up to 25% as needed
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U. S. citizenship

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have any of the following…

• An analytical understanding of multiple kill chains involving distributed assets where the target and/or assets are in space
• Active-duty military experience related to Planning, C2, Battle Management, Fires, or Intel
• A Master's Degree or higher in engineering or related technical field
• Experience in a formal technical leadership role, leading a technical team, building modeling and simulation systems and models to assess space-based systems and space communication systems
• Demonstrated experience performing test and evaluation of military or intelligence systems
• Experience with systems-of-systems physics & effects-based simulation tools (AFSIM, NGTS, etc.)
• Systems architecting experience with UML/SysML modeling tools using associated modeling software, such as Cameo, Rhapsody, or SPARX EA
• Experience with modeling frameworks such as the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) or Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

150000

Maximum Rate

200000